According to a new report by Der Spiegel, the British signals intelligence spy agency has again employed a “quantum insert” technique as a way to target employees (Google Translate) of two companies that are GRX (Global Roaming Exchange) providers.

The lead author of the story in the German magazine is Laura Poitras, one of the journalists known to have access to the entire trove of documents leaked by former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden.

GRX is roughly analogous to an IX (Internet Exchange), and it acts as a major exchange for mobile Internet traffic while users roam around the globe. There are only around two dozen such GRX providers globally. This new attack specifically targeted administrators and engineers of Comfone and Mach (which was acquired over the summer by Syniverse), two GRX providers.

Der Spiegel suggests that the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the British sister agency to the NSA, used spoofed versions of LinkedIn and Slashdot pages to serve malware to targets. This type of attack was also used to target “nine salaried employees” of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the global oil cartel.

Bruce Schneier, a well-known cryptographer and security expert, explained on his blog last month that “the NSA relies on its secret partnerships with US telecom companies.” Presumably, the GCHQ has a similar arrangement with UK and/or European telcos.

As Schneier wrote:

As part of the Turmoil system, the NSA places secret servers, codenamed Quantum, at key places on the Internet backbone. This placement ensures that they can react faster than other websites can. By exploiting that speed difference, these servers can impersonate a visited website to the target before the legitimate website can respond, thereby tricking the target's browser to visit a Foxacid server.

In the academic literature, these are called "man-in-the-middle" attacks and have been known to the commercial and academic security communities. More specifically, they are examples of "man-on-the-side" attacks.

They are hard for any organization other than the NSA to reliably execute, because they require the attacker to have a privileged position on the Internet backbone and exploit a "race condition" between the NSA server and the legitimate website. This top-secret NSA diagram, made public last month, shows a Quantum server impersonating Google in this type of attack.

Phillippe Langlois, the founder of P1 Security, presented (PDF) on GRX vulnerabilities at a security conference back in 2011.

Senator John McCain, on Snowden

Meanwhile, the German magazine also interviewed Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), asking specifically about Snowden and the spying affair against German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

McCain said that the NSA conducted the spying operation against Merkel "because they could do it. In other words, there were people with enhanced capabilities that have been developed over the last decade or so, and they were sitting around and said 'we can do this,' and so they did it."

He lamented the lack of Congressional oversight and added that Gen. Keith Alexander, the head of the NSA, should be fired.

The Arizona senator dismissed the possibility that Germany and Chancellor Merkel would grant asylum to Snowden: "She would never consider such a thing. We're too good friends."

McCain also said he was convinced that Snowden gave all of his information to Russia, which Snowden has denied.

SPIEGEL: What would be the consequences for Snowden if he were to return to the United States?

McCain: He'd go on trial, but he's not coming back.

SPIEGEL: Even next year when his asylum in Russia expires?

McCain: Never. President Vladimir Putin will grant him asylum indefinitely. The Russians know if they send him back that that's a lesson to other people who might defect. I'm sure that Mr. Snowden has told them everything that he possibly knows.

SPIEGEL: He denies that and says that he did not take the NSA documents to Russia.

McCain: If you believe that Mr. Snowden didn't give the Russians information that he has, then you believe that pigs can fly.

Update Monday 11:35am CT: A spokesperson for Slashdot's parent company, Dice Holdings, told Ars that it only found out about this situation late Sunday.

"To be clear, we have not been asked to cooperate with any government agency related to this matter and have not provided access to Slashdot systems or user information," Jennifer Bewley said by e-mail. "We know of no unauthorized Slashdot code manipulation, or attempts to effect any. We do not approve of this reported activity, and if true, it’s unfortunate that we are yet another in a long line of Internet businesses to suffer this type of intrusion."

they both have an agenda and McCain at least has been elected for his.

Having an agenda is fine. No… It's not just "fine" but actually a very good thing to have an agenda. And Snowden has claimed so far that his agenda has been to bring the wrongdoings of the intelligence community which he served to light.

Any other secondary agenda that you allude to, like McCain, has so far not been proven and I bet if NSA or GCHQ found even the slightest trace of Snowden actually contributing something of detailed and strategic value to Russia, China or some other nation we would hear it straight from the White House. What has been proven has been the wrongdoings of the NSA (and their allies in GCHQ et al.).

What is wrong with McCain? The topic of Russia made his head exploded...hahahaha... It was a shame Russia stole the thunders over the Syrian crisis. Otherwise, the US can start another war there. I see McCain is totally disappointed.

That old coot McCain is trying to drum up anti-Communist rhetoric in an attempt to make us turn our backs on Snowden? Silly old man still thinks it's the 1970's! The cold war is over. That doesn't work anymore.

If you believe that Mr. Snowden didn't give the Russians information that he has, then you believe that pigs can fly.

Really? Snowden's moral convictions were strong enough for him to destroy his own life; his actions considered and and ethical enough to ensure that his information was not leaked willy-nilly but by established journalists, but it's completely impossible to believe that he is also ethical enough and skilled enough to try to prevent his raw information from falling into the hands of rival countries like Russia and China?

I don't believe that pigs can fly because pigs have never provided evidence of their flying ability. But I can believe that Snowden is ethical enough to not leak intel to the Russians because he has provided ample evidence of what his ethics are and his willingness to stand up for them.

That old coot McCain is trying to drum up anti-Communist rhetoric in an attempt to make us turn our backs on Snowden? Silly old man still thinks it's the 1970's! The cold war is over. That doesn't work anymore.

Because Russia is such a cool place now, right, and Putin truly fights for freedom and democracy. Honest. Really. Just ask the gays or anyone who disagrees with Putin and they dont get just spied on btw, they get locked up or murdered.

That old coot McCain is trying to drum up anti-Communist rhetoric in an attempt to make us turn our backs on Snowden? Silly old man still thinks it's the 1970's! The cold war is over. That doesn't work anymore.

Because Russia is such a cool place now, right, and Putin truly fights for freedom and democracy. Honest. Really. Just ask the gays or anyone who disagrees with Putin and they dont get just spied on btw, they get locked up or murdered.

And nobody asked the Senator McCain his opinion about the revelation that Brazil admitted spying on US diplomats for years? Is not that somewhat important?

Hmmm....I see... The UK intelligence agency setup a fake server along the major internet backbone routes. When a target visits a specific website, it can intersect the connection and load up a fake webpage instead. This process is so fast that the entire operation is seamless. Thereby, the fake webpage can hack and compromise the target's computer and its network. I see UK is really obsessed with Belgium, the center of EU. I see the old UK European obstructionist mindset hasn't changed. UK always worries about the EU would get too big and too strong. Historically, they don't trust the Germans also.

It could be see, chapter 1, article 2 wherein they openly admit that they cooperate in controlling both supply and prices:

A. The principal aim of the Organization shall be the coordination and unification of the petroleum policies of Member Countries and the determination of the best means for safeguarding their interests, individually and collectively.B. The Organization shall devise ways and means of ensuring the stabilization of prices in international oil markets with a view to eliminating harmful and unnecessary fluctuations.C. Due regard shall be given at all times to the interests of the pro- ducing nations and to the necessity of securing a steady income to the producing countries; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; and a fair return on their capital to those investing in the petroleum industry.

If you believe that Mr. Snowden didn't give the Russians information that he has, then you believe that pigs can fly.

Really? Snowden's moral convictions were strong enough for him to destroy his own life; his actions considered and and ethical enough to ensure that his information was not leaked willy-nilly but by established journalists, but it's completely impossible to believe that he is also ethical enough and skilled enough to try to prevent his raw information from falling into the hands of rival countries like Russia and China?

I don't believe that pigs can fly because pigs have never provided evidence of their flying ability. But I can believe that Snowden is ethical enough to not leak intel to the Russians because he has provided ample evidence of what his ethics are and his willingness to stand up for them.

I SEE THE COMRADE SNOWDEN FAN CLUB IS ALIVE AND WELL PRAISING A TRAITOR...

Call him what you will....he is making history and historical changes are happening as we speak.

I don't believe that pigs can fly because pigs have never provided evidence of their flying ability. But I can believe that Snowden is ethical enough to not leak intel to the Russians because he has provided ample evidence of what his ethics are and his willingness to stand up for them.

Agreed. And I suspect that the Russians already have much of this material anyway. With what we're learning about poor security at the NSA, and the huge number of people who had access, it's unlikely that Snowden is the first to leak. He's just unusual in that he supplied journalists; his predecessors will have leaked to foreign spooks, as is more usual.

Hmmm....I see... The UK intelligence agency setup a fake server along the major internet backbone routes. When a target visits a specific website, it can intersect the connection and load up a fake webpage instead. This process is so fast that the entire operation is seamless. Thereby, the fake webpage can hack and compromise the target's computer and its network. I see UK is really obsessed with Belgium, the center of EU. I see the old UK European obstructionist mindset hasn't changed. UK always worries about the EU would get too big and too strong. Historically, they don't trust the Germans also.

Nobody in Europe trusts the Germans - anti-German sentiment runs harder in just about every other European nation I've ever visited than it does in the UK, where the relationship with our German cousins is generally one of "they're so like us it's uncanny, it's just a shame they waste so much time appeasing the French*."

Of course, if you're really talking "historically", that's for rather good reason.

If you believe that Mr. Snowden didn't give the Russians information that he has, then you believe that pigs can fly.

Really? Snowden's moral convictions were strong enough for him to destroy his own life; his actions considered and and ethical enough to ensure that his information was not leaked willy-nilly but by established journalists, but it's completely impossible to believe that he is also ethical enough and skilled enough to try to prevent his raw information from falling into the hands of rival countries like Russia and China?

I don't believe that pigs can fly because pigs have never provided evidence of their flying ability. But I can believe that Snowden is ethical enough to not leak intel to the Russians because he has provided ample evidence of what his ethics are and his willingness to stand up for them.

I SEE THE COMRADE SNOWDEN FAN CLUB IS ALIVE AND WELL PRAISING A TRAITOR...

The NSA is looking pretty awful in this whole mess, as every allegation against them is being proven true one by one.

That old coot McCain is trying to drum up anti-Communist rhetoric in an attempt to make us turn our backs on Snowden? Silly old man still thinks it's the 1970's! The cold war is over. That doesn't work anymore.

Because Russia is such a cool place now, right, and Putin truly fights for freedom and democracy. Honest. Really. Just ask the gays or anyone who disagrees with Putin and they dont get just spied on btw, they get locked up or murdered.

Yes... Because US government totally supports gay right at the moment...

If you believe that Mr. Snowden didn't give the Russians information that he has, then you believe that pigs can fly.

Really? Snowden's moral convictions were strong enough for him to destroy his own life; his actions considered and and ethical enough to ensure that his information was not leaked willy-nilly but by established journalists, but it's completely impossible to believe that he is also ethical enough and skilled enough to try to prevent his raw information from falling into the hands of rival countries like Russia and China?

I don't believe that pigs can fly because pigs have never provided evidence of their flying ability. But I can believe that Snowden is ethical enough to not leak intel to the Russians because he has provided ample evidence of what his ethics are and his willingness to stand up for them.

I SEE THE COMRADE SNOWDEN FAN CLUB IS ALIVE AND WELL PRAISING A TRAITOR...

If you believe that Mr. Snowden didn't give the Russians information that he has, then you believe that pigs can fly.

Really? Snowden's moral convictions were strong enough for him to destroy his own life; his actions considered and and ethical enough to ensure that his information was not leaked willy-nilly but by established journalists, but it's completely impossible to believe that he is also ethical enough and skilled enough to try to prevent his raw information from falling into the hands of rival countries like Russia and China?

I don't believe that pigs can fly because pigs have never provided evidence of their flying ability. But I can believe that Snowden is ethical enough to not leak intel to the Russians because he has provided ample evidence of what his ethics are and his willingness to stand up for them.

I SEE THE COMRADE SNOWDEN FAN CLUB IS ALIVE AND WELL PRAISING A TRAITOR...

Minor pedantry here. GCHQ would be the British counterpart to the NSA. It's not a Sister agency.

A sister agency suggests the same parent, so the FBI/CIA might (at a stretch) be considered sister agencies, an agency run by another government definitely isn't.

Pedantry aside, I think the saying is more of a poke at the whole fact that the GCHQ has pretty much been used by the NSA to get around certain legal restrictions, and how closely the two have been working together. The fact that a single contractor was able to run off with documents from both agencies shows just how close they were.

Edward Snowden is doing more to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic" than the US President, all of the US Senators, and all of the US Representatives put together. Though I must admit that Rep. Alan Grayson, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Senator Ron Wyden are doing their very best, they are being "mushroomed" by Rep. Mike Rogers and Senator Dianne Feinstein (kept in the dark and fed nothing but bullshit). Snowden saw beyond the bullshit and opened everyone's eyes.-------I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)

Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add “within the limits of the law,” because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual.Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)

That old coot McCain is trying to drum up anti-Communist rhetoric in an attempt to make us turn our backs on Snowden? Silly old man still thinks it's the 1970's! The cold war is over. That doesn't work anymore.

That "Silly old man" was tortured in the Hanoi Hilton (prison) after he got shot down doing what he was ordered to do by the US government. He does know the price of freedom. Regardless of his political beliefs he deserves respect.

Snowden took the easy way out, he ran. If he had stayed in the country and had fought in the courts for his beliefs then I would have similar respect for him as I do for McCain. (I would probably never vote for McCain but he is honorable and a hero.) There are a number of NGOs Snowen could have taken his case to, the ACLU, the EFF, and others. He could have still released all the files to reporters as he did but he should have stayed here and not run. It would certainly mean more to our 4th amendment rights in the long run.

If Snowden had stayed here he would probably be dead now. And McCain apparently doesn't know the cost of freedom. In order to try to become President he said that it's okay to torture people. Any claim to respectability was lost then.

I feel sorry for McCain. He is getting so old that he forgets the oath that he took when he became an officer way back in the '60. He has been so ingrained into the establishment of the Congress, which basically no one respects it, he has lost his soul. He is Part of the Problem. He considers himself part of an elite group that should be exempt for the rules and regulations that Citizens must conform to.

As a Servant to the People, he has amassed a net worth of $10M as he used his position to sell books, give speeches and probably do insider trading (those laws don't apply to Congress either.)(I'd love to know the amount of money lobbyists spend for speeches and books from Congress)

So depending on your definition of a Pig (as in some are more equal than others) I do have proof that pigs can fly:

The thing that seems to elude McCain and most of the US administration, at least in public, is what a shitty place they've put their allies in. Take Chancellor Merkel and the CDU party in Germany: these are long-term partners of the US, strong supporters of NATO, of compatible conservative political and religious orientation, etc. But they just came out of a surprisingly close-fought national election in a fragile coalition with the main centre-left party (SPD). Another strong candidate coalition was between SPD, Greens, and the Links party (which incorporates remnants of the old East German socialists, ie screamingly RED from the US perspective).

If the coalition fails then there will likely be new elections. If CDU doesn't want to be easily labeled as the NSA lapdog and so lose it has to maintain a stout stance on this issue. If the US thinks its interests are better served by having a friendly and aligned government atop the third largest exporter in the world then it needs to do some serious damage control. Like: a conspicuous apology and a visible house-cleaning of the NSA brass (presuming the "we didn't tell the President" story holds)

Snowden is in Russia because the US State Department cancelled his passport while in transit elsewhere. Once in Russia, without a passport he could not board the plane to go where he wanted. There was a reason he sat five weeks in Sheremetyevo Airport.

Christ people, it only happened two months ago. You can't have forgotten already. Or is it "forgetting" so that it served a partisan point?